We’re at the Dec. 13 Board of Selectmen and will provide updates as we can!
Selectman Alex Hagerty started the meeting by congratulating the Abington HS football team for making it to the D6 Super Bowl, and the Abington HS Drama Club for its presentation of Elf: The Musical, and reciting from How The Grinch Stole Christmas in-character as The Grinch.
Selectmen Chairman Kevin DiMarzio reminded people at the Abington Celebrates’ Abington Is Lit holiday light tour is going on until Dec. 26.
In a joint meeting between the Board and the Board of Sewer Commissioners, William Cormier was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Board of Sewer Commissioners. The vote was 8-0, with Selectman Alex Hagerty voting present. Cormier will fill the seat previously held by John “Jack” Brown, who passed away in November.
Abington Police Chief David Del Papa introduced two of the town’s newest police officers.
Hency Calise, 27, is an Abington resident, who is married with two children. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and international studies from Bridgewater State University. He graduated from the police academy in August 2020, is a member of the Massachusetts National Guard, is fluent in French and Haitian, and can read and write Spanish.
Michael Walsh, also 27, is a native of Abington, and graduate of the Abington HS Class of 2013. He holds a bachelors degree in criminal justice from Southern New Hampshire University. He graduated from the police academy in July 2021.
Del Papa said COVID-19 restrictions had prevented the officers from being introduced earlier. Rep. Alyson Sullivan was on hand to provide both officers with citations from her office.
The Board approved allowing every bar, tavern, pub. restaurant, and lounge in town with a license to serve alcohol to stay open past midnight on New Year’s Eve until 1 a.m. It also approved allowing Luci’s Pizza to stay open until 1 a.m. on New Year’s Day for a special event.
The Bpard approved a permit for the 43rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which will take place on March 22, 2022. Because of COVID-19, parade organizers have held brief, secret parades the past two years without spectators.
Kathy Creighton was appointed as an associate member of the Conservation Commission.
Jean Matiyosus, a voting member of the Conservation Commission, advocated for Creighton, a prior commission member, particularly with the turnover the board has experienced in the past year.
“She is so knowlegdeable. She spent many years on this board,” she said. “I would need someobody like her because she has been on the board…she knows what it takes.”
The Board of Selectmen’s vote was unanimous.
With the Annual Town Meeting scheduled for April this year, the Board opened this year’s warrant. This means citizens and boards can start to submit items for consideration. The deadline for submitting things is Feb. 14. The Town Charter spells out the procedure for requesting warrant articles.